Gov Okezie Ikpeazu

 The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has laid to rest the controversy whether or not the PDP's 3-man delegates primary election held in Abia or not

In a letter dated May 13, 2023, the Electoral Commission declared it was unaware the primary election was rescheduled for a latter date

We were not aware of the 3-man delegates election hitherto scheduled for May 4, 2023 being rescheduled for May 11, 2023, INEC stated, adding that they did not receive any letter  regarding  the rescheduled date of May 11,  2022.  

INEC's letter. dated May 13, 2023 was a reply to a letter from PDP, National headquarters seeking clarifications what transpired in Abia

By implication,  INEC is saying itdid not observe the primary as required by law.

Sources from Gov  Ikpeazu’s kitchen cabinet revealed  that INEC's letter had  sparked off confusion in  Ikpeazu’s plans to successfully deliver his anointed  guber  aspirant, Professor Uche Ikonne through the governorship primary

Dailyledger.com.ng reports that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in a viral video claimed that the 3-man delegated election in Abia State held successfully on May 11, 2024 and party delegates  have been elected.

The source which pleaded anonymity told an Umuahia-based blogger that because of INEC's letter, “The pressure is too much now on us, confusion has taken over our camp, all our moves to make sure the 3-man delegate list is accepted has completely failed

“INEC has refused all entreaties and the party leadership in Abuja are insisting that things must be done properly because they don’t want any legal tussle that will make them lose the state to another party through the court

“At the moment what we are left with are the statutory delegates and based on our findings we can’t trust them at all” he concluded

Another source inside Prof  Ikonne’s camp who spoke off-record  sounded displeased with the development. He revealed that they were assured that everything would  be fine, but  the latest development now shows that the leadership of the party in the State don’t have the full grasp of the power play

In his words:  “it seems the leadership of the State and the party don’t have capacity to dislodge those fighting against the emergence of Ikonne through the PDP primary”